Kenya, US Sign Sh10 Billion Deals for Uhuru’s Big Four Agenda

Deals worth Sh10 billion have been signed at the ongoing United States-Kenya trade conference at the United Nations headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi.

US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Gil Kaplan arrived in the country on Wednesday together with a delegation of more than 60 business leaders to engage Kenya on opportunities around President Kenyatta's Big Four agenda namely; universal healthcare, manufacturing, affordable housing and food security.

Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday, the US government official said his country was keen to deepen trade ties with Kenya and Africa.

 “We have been charged to travel to Kenya and other African countries to find out how US can have stronger trade relations with key countries in Africa,” Gil Kaplan said.

Speaking at the opening of the investment forum on Thursday, President Kenyatta urged the US investors to take advantage of the opportunities created by his legacy plan. He also assured them that the government will address barriers to trade and also eliminate corruption.

"Given our long and well-established relationship, we can do more together. I invite US companies to walk with us on the Big Four journey,” he said at the conference organized by the US Chamber of Commerce.

“In addition to the resources, we anticipate that American investors willbring in knowledge and technology transfer,” he said.

The deals include a $20 million deal with US-based Medtronic to set up a medical dialysis centre, $40 million partnership agreement between Rendeavour and Unity Homes to build 1,200 affordable homes in Tatu City, Kiambu County and a $10 million credit line from World Business Capital.